There are a few main bug categories you want to know:
- Mayfly - baetis, bwo, pmd, trico
- Caddisfly
- Stonefly
- Midge - chironomid
- Terrestrial (Grasshopper, Ant, etc)
- Damsels and Dragonflies
Common Nymphs:
- Prince Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
- Hares Ear
- Copper John
Here are a few of the more popular bugs:
- Chironomids - Fancy term for 'midge'. The majority of the feeding interest by trout is in the pupal stage due in large part to the sheer numbers that can be present throughout the water column during an emergence. Shown is an adult to identify above water.
- Callibaetis - Callibaetis are the most important Western stillwater (not moving water like rivers) mayfly of all. There is no insect more important to the Western stillwater angler than the Callibaetis. Find this guy on Lake Crowley. (mayfly)
- Baetis - mayfly - Blue Wing Olive - BWO sz 18-24. Mostly in moving water like rivers - Dun has more of a blue-ish tint darker wings, and a spinner has clear wings. Male has big bulgy eyes, female you won't notice the eyes. (mayfly)
- PMD - Pale Morning Dun (mayfly)
- Trico (Mayfly) - The spinners can be identified with a dark body of 1/8-1/4 inches, white wings and long tri-tail. Most flyfishermen concentrate on the spinner-fall. Purple, blue and deep red (like a royal humpy) have all produced for me in a lake "when in doubt". Check out trico info on troutnut.com
- Caddis - Trichoptera - Erratic flying - (Fly=EHC - Elk Hair Caddis, Fox Poopa)
- Casing:
- Full:
- Stonefly
